Bacolod radio station bombed; two injured

BACOLOD CITY — A bomb exploded early yesterday outside a radio station here, shattering the outside wall and leaving at least two persons bruised and shaken from flying debris, police said.

A "powerful, military-type" bomb went off at about 1:45 a.m., blasting the wall of radio station dyHB Radyo Agong of the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) along Lacson street, leaving two bystanders slightly injured, authorities said.

The two bystanders, Jeffrey Isidro, 27, a former merchandiser, and Vic Rio, 50, an instructor of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, suffered minor injuries.

The Associated Press, quoting police bomb expert Demy Mon—toya, said a security guard of the radio station was also slightly injured.

The explosion, which Montoya described as "the most powerful" to hit the city, was a malleable substance made of TNT and used as a filler for grenades, mortar shells and high-explosive ammunition.

Only bomb experts and military personnel have access to the ingredients, he said.

The bomb was planted behind a tree near the radio station’s wall. The blast also damaged a nearby ATM booth of the Bank of Philippine Islands and a five-door apartment building.

The explosion came five days after a blast from a similar type of explosive at the home of a prominent businessman, Ricky Enri—quez, a supporter of Bacolod Mayor Luzviminda Valdez.

Valdez suspects that the incidents were politically motivated, noting that a bomb also went off on May 22, a day after she was proclaimed winner in the five-cornered mayoral race.

Valdez said the incidents were apparently meant to destabilize her administration. She took over the mayoral post three months ago after the Commission on Elections declared former Mayor Oscar Verdeflor ineligible for the position for being an American citizen.

Valdez also noted that there are certain quarters who want to discredit Superintendent Armando Marquez, the city’s police chief, whom she has retained.

"They (the perpetrators) are obviously trying to create the impression that there is no peace and order in the city," she said.

Marquez earlier said there have been efforts to oust him and derail his plan to rid the city of organized crime and illegal drugs.

He caused a stir last year when he recommended the transfer to Mindanao of nine city policemen allegedly involved in syndicated crimes.

Local journalists immediately condemned the attack on the radio station, which has been persistent in its reporting of the police crackdown on drugs and local crime syndicates.